Smoke rising from Monroe Mountain could be seen from miles around as rangers conducted a massive prescribed burn in the Signal Peak area on October 20-22. The Richfield Reaper reported on the success of this burn.
This burn was all part of a larger plan for the mountain. It is called the Monroe Mountain Aspen Ecosystems Restoration Project, and it will continue into 2023.
“The purpose of this prescribed fire project is to improve the mountain’s aspen ecosystems by reintroducing fire,” said Richfield District Ranger Jason Kling. “These actions also help reduce hazardous fuel accumulations thus reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires that often come during the hot and dry summer months. Cleared areas also create the necessary openings for sunlight and space for new grasses and other vegetation to grow. Healthy aspen ecosystems also provide important habitat for livestock and wildlife.”
Aspens in this area are dependent on occasional fires to hold their own against looming conifer trees. Prescribed burning does have its critics. But since it mirrors the size and frequency of ancient fires, it wins the support of most of the Forest Service.
How and When to Burn
Prescribed burning is a common practice in the national forest areas around us, such as Dixie and Fishlake.
A prescribed burn can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Often firefighters will remove hazardous fuel from a forest and then place the fuel into piles for ignition at the proper moment. In remote areas they use special equipment meant to start fires after being dropped out of a helicopter.
Forest officials are very careful about how and when they burn. They work to ensure controlled burns stay within control and communities don’t fill with smoke.
“We’re trying to insert the fire back at the right scale and right time,” Forest Supervisor Mike Elson told The Salt Lake Tribune last year.
Planned with the Storm in Mind
In this way the most recent Monroe Mountain burn was a success!
The burn was planned with the incoming storm in mind. Winds and snow helped to clear smoke from the sky and cool the smoldering embers from the burn. However, “the project area may continue to smolder until additional precipitation is received,” the Richfield Reaper reported.
– The Byway
Feature image caption: Smoke rises from Monroe Mountain during a prescribed burn. Courtesy Richfield Reaper.